Oath of Allegiance
 An
Oath of Allegiance is a verbal promise in which an individual swears allegiance
and loyalty to a particular country, state, monarchy, political institution,
individual or group of individuals. In the United States,
naturalized citizens, military personnel,
and citizens assuming public offices such as presidents and judges, swear their
allegiance to the United States Constitution. An Oath of Allegiance in other
countries also commonly involves swearing one’s allegiance to that particular
nation’s Constitution. For immigrants
becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, the Oath of Allegiance
frequently takes place at a citizenship
ceremony.
The Oath of Allegiance is as follows:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce
and abjure all allegiance
and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom
or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support
and defend the Constitution and laws
of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true
faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the
United States when
required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed
Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform
work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the
law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
With prior permission, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will
sometimes allow individuals to take the Oath without the following phrases:
". . .that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law;
that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United
States when required by law.” U.S. Presidents also take an Oath of
Allegiance, commonly referred to as an Affirmation of Office. It is mandatory
for the incoming president take the Oath, and the wording of the Presidential
Oath is in accordance with the U.S. Constitution. The Oath of Allegiance for
United States presidents is as follows:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the
United States."
In other countries, the Oath of Allegiance varies. For example, in England,
clergy take an Oath of Supremacy, in which they swear the allegiance to the
British monarch. In the Netherlands, members of Parliament swear their
allegiance, such as:
I swear (affirm) allegiance to the King, to the Statute for the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, and to
the Constitution. I swear (affirm) that I will faithfully perform the duties
my office lays upon me.
So help me God almighty!
Throughout history, many individuals, religious groups, and secular groups
have refused to take the specific Oath of Allegiance that countries dictate.
This opposition has previously resulted in turmoil and sometimes even
imprisonment. However, legal reforms in England that date back to the 1700s have
permitted individuals to make solemn affirmations instead of taking an Oaths of
Allegiance.
The United States has always allowed modifications to the Oath of Allegiance.
The USCIS permits individuals to modify the Oath of
Allegiance if there is a conflict with one’s religious convictions. In regards
to the Presidential oath, Presidents are given the option to take an
“affirmation.” Interestingly, Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover are the only
two U.S. Presidents who chose to take an Affirmation instead of an Oath at their
Presidential inauguration.
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